Cannes, France, June 16, 2019 – Maxwell Holt held his nerve in spectacular style to lead USA to a 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 28-26, 27-25) victory over France in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League on Sunday.
After USA saved two set points that would have levelled the match at two sets all, they immediately grabbed the chance to wrap up the win. France saved one match point but on the second middle blocker Holt fired over a fierce serve that Earvin Ngapeth was unable to control and which gave John Speraw’s team the win.
Holt was one of five USA players to finish with double figures for scoring, along with Garrett Muagututia, David Smith, Benjamin Patch and Taylor Sander who led the way with 16.
France’s leading scorer Kevin Tillie also hit 16, Stephen Boyer scored 14 and Ngapeth 11.
The result meant that the USA leave the Riviera with three wins from three. For Laurent Tillie’s team it was a frustrating three days that began well with defeat of Germany before they sank to losses against Argentina and USA.
Earlier on Sunday Argentina won their second match of the week after a topsy-turvy 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-10) victory over Germany.
Bruno Lima led scoring with 29 points made up of 22 attacks, five blocks and one service. His teammate Ezequiel Palacios weighed in with 19, the same amount as Germany’s leading scorers, Christian Fromm and Ruben Schott.
Argentina now travel to Milan where they will face Italy, Serbia and FIVB world champions Poland. France will be in action against host nation Iran in the Rezazadeh Hall in Ardabil, along with Australia and Portugal. USA are hosts at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman States where they will take on Canada, China and Japan. Germany will now complete in Brazil. Along with the Olympic champions they will play Bulgaria and 2018 VNL winners Russia at the Aecon Tocantins in Cuiaba.
